Polala Amavasya 2026

Polala Amavasya: A Mothers' Nomu for Their Children

Polala Amavasya falls on Shravana Bahula Amavasya, the new moon of the Shravana month. In Telugu homes, especially in Telangana and North Coastal Andhra, women worship Poleramma (Polalamma) and observe a nomu for the long life and health of their children. It marks the end of the Shravana month nomus.

The Nomu Katha

According to the popular story, a daughter-in-law lost her children every year around Polala Amavasya. Grieving, she sat weeping with her child's body in a grove at the edge of the village, when Poleramma appeared and asked her what had happened. Moved by her devotion and sorrow, the goddess brought the children back to life and blessed her that anyone observing this nomu on this day would keep their children safe from harm. The story is told with small variations in different regions, and it is customary to hear it holding akshatalu in hand.

How to Perform the Nomu

• Bathe in the morning, clean the house and puja space and draw muggulu.
• Many families place a kanda (elephant yam) plant or tuber on the peetham as the form of Poleramma and decorate it with turmeric and kumkum.
• A thoram is made by tying knots in a turmeric-coated thread and is worshipped before the goddess.
• Worship with flowers and akshatalu, and tell or listen to the nomu katha.
• After the puja, the thoram is tied on the children's wrist or neck. The number of knots follows family custom.
• Pulagam, payasam, garelu and burelu are offered as naivedyam, and vayanam is given to muttaiduvulu.

Pola and Worship of Bullocks

In areas bordering Maharashtra, such as Adilabad, farmers bathe their bullocks on this day, decorate them with colours and bells and worship them. In Maharashtra this is called Bail Pola. It is a day of gratitude to the animals that support farming.

Significance

The Polala Amavasya nomu reflects a mother's love and the deep faith of Telugu people in their grama devatas. Since it is an Amavasya, some families also offer tarpanam to their ancestors.

May Poleramma Thalli always keep your children safe and happy.